A Sierra Leonean national, Alhaji Ahmed Shaw, is currently on trial in Nigeria after allegedly failing to declare $90,000 in cash upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
During court proceedings on Wednesday, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its first prosecution witness in the case. The witness, Danladi Ibrahim, an operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), told the Federal High Court in Lagos that Mr Shaw was intercepted on 3 March 2025 after arriving from Sierra Leone.
“I asked him routine questions, including where he was coming from. He said he was a businessman from Sierra Leone,” Mr Ibrahim said. “Upon searching his hand luggage, I discovered the $90,000 concealed inside.”
According to Nigerian law, travelers are required to declare any amount over $10,000 (or equivalent) in cash or negotiable instruments to the Nigeria Customs Service.
The EFCC stated that Mr Shaw’s failure to declare the funds violates Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which carries a minimum sentence of two years imprisonment and forfeiture of the undeclared funds.
Mr Shaw, who was arrested by the NDLEA and later handed over to the EFCC, was arraigned on 4 April and pleaded not guilty. He is currently being held at a Nigerian correctional facility pending trial.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Mr Ibrahim testified that the cash was counted in Mr Shaw’s presence, along with his lawyer, the arresting officer, and an exhibit officer. The prosecution also attempted to submit several documents and the $90,000 as evidence.
However, Mr Shaw’s defence team objected to the admissibility of a transfer note from the NDLEA to the EFCC, claiming the witness was not the author of the document. The prosecution later withdrew the document.
Under cross-examination, Mr Ibrahim was asked why he singled out Mr Shaw. He responded that Mr Shaw’s answers during questioning raised suspicion, prompting a search.
When asked whether the defendant provided any proof of being a businessman, Mr Ibrahim replied, “No.”
The case has been adjourned to 7 May 2025 for continuation of the trial.
